Diabetes and its Potential Impact on Head and Neck Oncogenesis

Abstract

In recent years, the incidence of diabetes mellitus and cancer has increased sharply; indeed, these have become the two most important diseases threatening health and survival. Head and neck (HN) tumors are the sixth most common malignancies in humans. Numerous studies have shown that there are many common risk factors for diabetes mellitus and HN squamous cell carcinoma, including advanced age, poor diet and lifestyle, and environmental factors. However, the mechanism linking the two diseases has not been identified. A number of studies have shown that diabetes affects the development, metastasis, and prognosis of HN cancer, potentially through the associated hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, or chronic inflammation. More recent studies show that metformin, the first-line drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, can significantly reduce the risk of HN tumor development and reduce mortality in diabetic patients. Here, we review recent progress in the study of the relationship between diabetes mellitus and HN carcinogenesis, and its potential mechanisms, in order to provide a scientific basis for the early diagnosis and effective treatment of these diseases.

Body Mass Index and Diabetes Mellitus May Predict Poorer Overall Survival of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients: A Retrospective Cohort From a Tertiary-Care Centre of a Resource-Limited Country

“…Although in this cohort, diabetes was not a significant predictor for survival, however, other studies have suggested a significant impact of DM on the overall survival of OSCC patients. 14 The majority of our study participants were male and previous studies suggest that men are more likely to sustain better metabolic control, directing to less levels of insulin and causing lesser oxidative damage to DNA, which might be a possible explanation for these results. 15 The frequency of DM in our OSCC patient cohort was about 16.6%.…”

“…13 It has been seen that diabetic OSCC patients suffer from a severe increase in risk of disease recurrence and mortality. 14 A meta-analysis of 13 studies conducted in 2015, including Asian studies, revealed diabetics to be at a higher risk of developing oral precancerous lesions and cancer, in comparison to non-diabetics. Furthermore, Type 2 DM is also associated with increased oral cancer mortality 13 and survival among diabetics was lower than non-diabetics.…”

Survival and Glycemic Control in Patients With co-existing Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Diabetes Mellitus

“…The pathogenesis of DM could influence the decreased survival of SCC. DM and SCC share common risk factors, such as hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, chronic inflammation and immune system dysfunction [27]. Tobacco smoking and alcohol which are two of the etiologic agents of SCC, particularly head and neck SCC and oropharyngeal SCC are also a risk factor in diabetes [28][29][30].…”

Caracterização do perfil alimentar e nutricional dos sobreviventes de câncer de cavidade oral e grau de adesão às recomendações de prevenção ao câncer emitidas pelo Fundo Mundial de Pesquisa de câncer e Instituto Americano de Pesquisa de câncer

“…Em relação ao diabetes, estudos demonstram associação deste com a incidência de câncer de cabeça e pescoço. [26][27][28] Observam-se repercussões nutricionais advindas do câncer e tratamento oncológico, o qual modificou o perfil do estado nutricional medido pelo IMC nesta população de pacientes. Assim, antes da doença e tratamento, a prevalência de pacientes na condição de eutróficos era de 35%, e na condição de sobrepeso/obesidade era de 65%.…”